Smalltown Vineyards The Black Craft Shiraz

Germans were the first free immigrants into Australia in the 1850's, and they planted Shiraz in Barossa. The German's also invented the letter-press in the 1500's. The suspicion around the "magic" of the printing press at the time, coupled with the inky hands of the printers meant that the art became known as The Black Craft. The wine is an homage to both the German influence of the oldest wine making in Australia, as well as the letter-press.

Production

This Shiraz is sourced from the finest available vineyard sites across the premium Northern Barossa Valley including for the most part Greenock, Western Ridge and Ebenezer. Aged for 11 months in a variety of oaks, all American and French, and around 35% new. All oaks were AP John, Barossa coopered. As usual with Smalltown Vineyards, it was fermented in open fermenters. They don't set the blades too close together during crushing, so they gain a fair bit of whole berry in the ferment which gives the wine generous fruit and soft tannins.

Tasting Note

A compelling, dark and rich chocolatey beast. A blend unique to the importers Boutinot, this is a classic Barossa Shiraz with intense savoury flavours of thick blackberry compote, black pepper and typical iron-rich beefy flavours. Not a hint of jam here, no sweetness at all. This is a serious Shiraz for grown-ups with balanced acidity, fine velvety tannins and tremendous length.

Food Match 

As the name implies, black is the key - anything char-grilled would be superb here, so think griddle pans and BBQs.